Shift point during normal driving

Kseannau

Mar 06, 2026

I was just wondering for all of us who didn't mess up. And actually got the manual transmission at what RPM are you normally shifting during normal driving? I usually do between 24 and 2700
And I just thought I'd see what other people were doing.

i put the picture on there because my doggy had to go to the vet today.His booty hole is not doing well.

22 badlands; 4door, manual transmission, soft top, non-sas, luxury pkg and a big dog.

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Mar 08, 2026

Varies widely based on how I'm driving or what I'm doing. If I'm off-roading, for example, it's usually around 3300 RPM.

But I guess for casual "around town" driving where I'm not in any particular rush, it's usually around 2600 RPM.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

Mar 08, 2026

… as stated it varies depending on what you have.

2.3l 24 and earlier, or the new 2.3l MPC 25+
What size tires and differential
Road conditions

I have found the new 2.3l seems a little pepperier
Four cylinders generally like to rev more [they do not like to be lugged]
The MT88 is a truck style transmission and by its nature is not one that likes to be shifted FAST... I found shifting it like you would do for a big rig (not like a sports car) works great.
I found not grabbing the stick firmly helped a lot… lets the shifter gate springs find the gating..
Running the RPM up a little higher lets you be slower going between gears and match the next gear

But you can test yourself
You should be able to say 'one thousand one', or 'one Mississippi' before you reach the next upward gear and release the clutch
The RPM will drop between upward gear changes
When you reach that next gear you should have the correct/good RPM to continue your forward motion smoothly
The slower your shift the more RPM you’ll need before starting the shift

All that said I have the 25 2.3l, 35” tires and 4.70 diffs
AFTER a little warm up...
First is shifted 3,500 - 4,000 or about 20-23 MPH
Second is shifted 3000 -4500 or about 30+ MPH varies based on road speed limit

I find the new 2.3l or my combination likes more RPM in first /second… like an old VW Bug

The MT-88 gearing, shifter gates and the cable linkages are things that slow the speed you can shift it...

Others will comment but this is what I have found helps jm2c

here is some info for my vehicle combo , you can do a similar chart if yours has different tires and diffs

Mar 12, 2026

First, it's a 2022 bad lands, with 33 inch stock K 02 tires.

and I was talking about just regular everyday driving, you're not in a rush, you're not trying to rev higher to pass or anything like that.

basically, when I first started driving it, I was shifting at 2400 and it worked fine. But that was accelerating pretty slow. So I started shifting more like 2700 a little before i posted this and it didn't change my gas mileage at all but it accelerates a touch faster and i think it likes it more, and lately I've been sometimes even going up to 3000 and it still hasn't changed my gas mileage at all.

When the Broncos first came out, I just had a base. Nonsasquatch because the dealer told me. I couldn't get it with a manual transmission. And the gearing is different, so I guess I was just trying to be careful until I got used to the gearing because it does feel different and I do like it better in my badlands, than in my base. In my base, there seemed to be too big of a gap between fifth and sixth on the highway.When you were in mountains and stuff.

also I will say when I drive. I usually keep my boost gauge on screen and watch it when i can and I do not get into boost, hardly ever. And I think that's why i'm able to get 20 to 21 MPG combined as well as not getting stuck in stop and go traffic, hardly ever. But anyways, this is very helpful. I appreciate it. I just wanted to see what other people were doing. It sounds like y'all are shifting a bit later than I do.

Also, when im shifting i do do it slower and let the gates do the work, but I also find that a smooth shift that's not fast, but not slow but smooth works really well. Keeping those rpms up so that when I shift, it's matching the revs. So that I'm not eating at the clutch. And that seems to work best for me i don't knowi don't know how else to describe it but i feel like its faster than your 1 1000, 2 1000. But, yes, i'm not shifting like i'm drag racing, but i'm also not double clutching it.

i think im usually at like 14mph when I go to 2nd gear and 25ish going to 3rd. I watch the rpm gauge more I still can't do it by sound like I did with my other manual cars.
thank you.

22 badlands; 4door, manual transmission, soft top, non-sas, luxury pkg and a big dog.

Q1svt

Mar 12, 2026

… all good. Each vehicle, each combination is different…

I’m in a big city, not trying to go fast… just try not to be a speed ramp for the vehicle behind me.

“shifting more like 2700 a little before i posted this and it didn't change my gas mileage at all but it accelerates a touch faster and i think it likes it more, and lately I've been sometimes even going up to 3000 and it still hasn't changed my gas mileage at all”
;^)

Since you have two manual Bronco’s with different combinations you might want to configure them each … I found this spreadsheet and it was helpful. The sub chart shows speed at 3,500 rpm
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gear-ratio-speed-calculator-2-3l-2-7l-manual-and-auto.3561/

Admin hope this is okay. Else delete

Mar 18, 2026

Sorry I don't have 2. I had a base non squatch when they came out, or when I finally got my order, but had to sell it when it became too tall for dog (first pic, Rocket aka butthole) but unfortunately he passed and new dog (2nd pic Trigger, aka jackass) didn't need the baby bronco and air suspension so I sold it and found a loaded badlands manual that I drive now, but they did have different gearing and its taken some getting used to.

But I do appreciate all of you've shared. I have now been shifting at about 2800 to 3000 most of the time and it is so much better. I think I was just trying to be careful since I hadn't driven a clutch for almost 3 years and this one's gearing did feel very different for the same vehicle and transmission just different final axel and transfer case gearing.

I will check out your link though thank you.

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22 badlands; 4door, manual transmission, soft top, non-sas, luxury pkg and a big dog.

Q1svt, TK1215

Mar 19, 2026

… @Kseannau I am sorry to hear about your loss. Based on what you expressed he had a caring loving ( owner) pal.

Nice to hear you’re trying different RPMs and finding what works best for you…

Since you have a load Badlands if it has SAS 35’s and 470 diffs I’ll be glad to share my complete spreadsheet just let me know. And hit me with any additional thoughts or questions.

Jim

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